Fairweather

Iain, Where was Janet Reno's "Justice Dept" when environmentalist-fundamentalists were burning down research labs, private homes, and ski resorts? Where was your outrage? You don't think JR's(and her boss's) personal beliefs maybe had something to do with the lack of interest she displayed while the property of others was destroyed? Again; where was your outrage?

Iain Why you bashing Strom Thurmond? Let's look at some prominent Democrats: George Wallace....enough said Al Gore Sr....voted AGAINST the Civil Rights Act Senator Robert Byrd...former KKK member Your tunnel vision doesn't allow you to see the whole picture?

Actually, I too am outraged by the new privacy intrusions as I've stated in earlier threads. I am questioning the lack of similar outrage re: Campain Finance Reform which, as written, is at least as great an offense to personal liberty. Campaign finance Reform, and the free speech infringements therein, seems to be more palatable to the liberals here for some reason. Do they support the curtailment of SOME liberties they don't think citizens "deserve", but cry outrage (!) when their favorites are threatened?

With all the paranoid lefties here on spray howling about perceived government intrusions into their privacy, I am surprised that no one is outraged about The Campaign Finance Reform Act. This bill denies "special interests" the right to campaign/lobby/advertise 30 days prior to an election. Keep in mind that a "special interest" group covers the political spectrum from The NRA to The Sierra Club, to Emily's List, to AARP. Only "the media" will be able to feed us the information we need about a particular candidate or issue. And we all know how responsible and un-biased the media is. So much for freedom of speech. Signing this Democrat inspired bill (and yes, John Mcain is a Democrat) in the stupidest thing GW has done.

Trask, You just earned a Five-Star rating from Fairweeather.

Climbed Monitor Ridge Route on Sat. Road open to Climbers Bivouac. Trail is snow free to big clearing at 4500 feet. Route above is about 50/50 snow but you can stay on snow almost all of the way to the summit if you chose to. (skiable from summit down to about 6000') Snow was firm on the way up, soft on the way down....it was just like the middle of freakin' June!

quote: Originally posted by sexual chocolate: I'm very interested in where this is all gonna lead to. My guess is that it will follow an historic pattern: Mad economic growth, deregulation, amassment of the wealth in the hands of a few, followed by the inevitable crash, societal destabilization, mass unrest, followed by government intervention in the form of increased social program funding and regulatory behaviour.[/QB] ....."behaviour"......hmmm....I think Sexual Chocolate and JGowans are the same person.

quote: Originally posted by sexual chocolate: quote:Originally posted by Jake: Hey sexualchocolate, I'm interested in this smallpox in the blanket business. Do you know where can I read up on this? Hey Jake; Where I originally came across information pertaining to this subject, I cannot recall, but after doing a Google search, here is one link. It's an interesting thread, academic in nature, but there is also much more info out there. I didn't search more out. Jake, an "academic" like Sexual Chocolate needn't trouble us (or herself) with facts. Especially when we know that we must always blame America first. (!) I'm sure she is furiously looking for the anecdote this very moment, but alas the words were spoken without the facts fully at hand. Blankets full of smallpox! Indeed.

"I'm still not happy that the summit registers are not wheelchair accessible" Is this point, re The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), not just as valid as radical environmentalist's readings of The Wilderness Act? I am happy when I see the ADA used to blunt obnoxious interpretations of The Wilderness Act of 1964. [ 11-25-2002, 07:26 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

We carried our bikes on a new trail that goes above the washout on the way up. Fairly easy. On the way back, we descended to the river and easily carried our bikes throught the washout section. This later route is easier. The washout is HUGE. It will take many trailpark $$$ to repair. The ride from here is just over 3 miles, not too steep, to the Lake Constance trailhead.

...actually, I said all communist GOVERNMENTS are evil. And I stand by that statement. SC, I thought Japan practiced Shinto, not Budhism. (???) ...and lets not forget the Sikhs of northern India who blew up an Air Canada jetliner over the Atlantic killing over 350 people a few years ago.

...By the way. All communist governments ARE violent/evil. Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Pal Pot, Ho Chi Min, Guevera, murderers all. [ 11-24-2002, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

Carried Mt Bikes past the washout today and rode to the Lake Constance trailhead. Hiked up to the lake which is completely snow free. (And frozen) Not even a patch. Looks like Inner Constance has snow down to about 6500 feet. I suspect the same for Constance. I think Constance is probably "doable" right now. Maybe next weekend?

JGowans, What's your agenda? Do you plan to become a US citizen so you can vote? This may enable you to promote the change you desire, if only in a small way. Until then, may I suggest you abstain from calling my president an "imperialist". Bush is "pro-business"? God forbid! You sound like one of those goddamned left-wing university professors. Flame away. Some observations: Christianity and Judaism have both gone through reformations. Islam has not. Christians are not currently trying to convert the world through force/violence. Islam is. Budhists: the only folks who aren't blowing up cars/buildings/people. [ 11-24-2002, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

The local news station made it sound like it is already a "done deal". The fee is proposed to go from the current $15, up to $30!!! This money all goes to the "mountaineering program". None of it goes to cover rescues. Rescues are still covered by the taxpayer. Combined with the $10 park entrance fee, it will now cost $40 to climb a mountain we supposedly own already.

I had a nice view of these two mountains on my way to Homer a couple years ago. I've read the (very) basic route descriptions in the new Alaska Climbing Guide, but is there anyone out there with any first or second hand info? Access, route conditions, best time of year, time on mountain, etc. Thanks

quote: Originally posted by Off White: I think Rick's rant puts a name to some of my anxiety, and I'd agree that its a non-partisan issue. Even if you're a die-hard Bush supporter, those same tools pass to the next idiot to occupy that office, and you might not think of them as your friend. Its of equal concern to right wing gun owners, libertarian free marketeers, disenfranchised lefties, paranoid black helicopter conspiracy theorists, and though they might not be aware of it, that great doughy mass in the middle too. I'll have to agree with you (mostly, anyway) on this one. Although I don't think the current administration will abuse this power, I would not trust the likes of the Bill & Hillary with it. Or any future left leaning administration. So in the name of objectivity and the consistency of my past arguments, I am forced to agree with you.

quote: Originally posted by AlpineK: I'm a little disapointed that none of you righty guys wants to lecture me about how misunderstood Nixon was. So many of Nixon's actions are not defensible that I won't even try. Especially his attempt to control a free market economy with a price/wage freeze. The guy was paranoid. Anti Semitic. Power Hungry. But if I had to chose between Nixon and McGovern again......well I was too young to vote back then, but it would be a tough choice. Hey, how about JFK being all doped up in the White House? Hookers and prescription pills. A real Democratic icon? At least he had the smarts to know that cutting taxes would stimulate the economy!

Washington State SUCKS if you're a skywatcher. Well, at least western Wa. does. Too cloudy last night.

quote: Originally posted by Dru: I saw a double bill last night. Jackass The Movie and Bowling For Columbine. Two documentaries about the American soul. Hooray for Canada A bit off subject but re: "Hooray for Canada": I was in Banff a couple months ago and stopped by the local "Subway" for a sandwich. I ran into a man about 50 yrs old in the hallway leading to the restroom. He was crying. He was unable to find a restroom for his wheelchair-bound elderly dad. His father was in great distress. He told me he had been up and down the street unable to find a disabled-access restroom. He told me that this is a BIG problem in BC, and Canada in general. Apparently enlightened Canada doesnt give a rip about its disabled population; at least as far as an ADA access type of law. Hooray for Canada.

Actually, a monorail extension would be cool. And a good tourism draw too. Good for business. I hope Seattle can muster up the same courage to pay for a new AK Way viaduct without calling on state taxpayers as well. Especially since the people who will drive the new Tacoma Narrows are "on their own", financially speaking. Peace, Allison.

Monorail Yes! (Since I don't live there) ...But you don't think Seattlites will actually vote to pay for something themselves do you? Out of their own pockets? Surely, there must be a way to get the good people of Washington State to foot the bill for Seattle's monorail! ...I know! Let's set up a tri-county taxing district!

Fear not, Son of Caveman. I got your six. You almost forgot to mention the most egregious breach of trust-some might say treason-of the Clinton presidency: Accepting $200,000 for the DNC in exchange for a rocket (read: missile) staging technology transfer to the Chinese govt. And lets not forget Somalia and 19 dead US Army Rangers and the Clinton/Aspin team that denied them the armor they needed to do their job. Bill Clinton. Bastard.

TTT, AK, others, We spent most of this evening debating something over which we have only miniscule control. I even missed my workout to argue with you all. We are truly pathetic. Gotta get up at 5am so I can pay my taxes. I'm going to bed.

The only "selling out" I'll grant you is corporations that shelter their assets from the American tax system by hiding them in overseas accounts, or just outright relocate to avoid said taxes. This leads me to the argument that perhaps tax revenues would cover annual expenses if current code were adequately enforced. I'm all for enforcement of existing law.